tridd forums

Response from GLAAD

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Dear Friends,
Today’s decision by the California Supreme Court is a painful but temporary setback. We know in time we will achieve full marriage equality in California and across the country, but that doesn’t make today’s news hurt any less.

GLAAD knows that strong and effective media advocacy – elevating our voices and stories and those of our allies, friends and families -- is what will continue to change the hearts and minds of the Americans we must reach.

Today’s setback provides us with the need and the opportunity – as an organization, as a movement, and as a community – to renew our dedication to this important work and to our pursuit of full equality.

In the past several months, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, and Vermont have shown that our culture and our nation are moving toward equality. At the same time, anti-gay activists are trying harder than ever to deny our families the security and legal protections they need. If we do not amplify our voices, we will not achieve the real and lasting change we seek.

The visibility our movement has achieved has changed hearts and minds, but today’s decision shows we need to work even harder to raise our voices and our visibility in the media. As our community continues to pursue fair and equal treatment under the law, GLAAD needs your support to ensure that media share even more stories of loving, committed same-sex couples in California and across the country.

We are sharing the stories of couples like Ángeles Domínguez & Yamileth Escobar, who received media training from GLAAD after marrying in June. GLAAD worked with People en Español to place the story of how Ángeles’ family embraced and accepted her marriage, ensuring that the magazine’s coverage was fair and accurate for its millions of readers. Through our media trainings and advocacy, millions nationwide are experiencing the stories of same-sex couples and the common ground we share.

Because when people get to know loving, committed couples like Ángeles & Yamileth, understanding and support can lead to real and lasting change.

It is worth noting that the California Supreme Court has ruled that the marriages of same-sex couples who married before Nov. 5, 2008 “remain valid in all respects.” Media now have a unique opportunity to turn a spotlight on these more than 18,000 couples, and GLAAD needs your support to help elevate and share their stories – as well as the stories of the countless same-sex couples who are unfairly denied that same most basic right.

Please consider a gift of $20, $40, or as much as you can give to help GLAAD’s media advocacy and anti-defamation work, to raise our visibility and continue these vital conversations that change hearts and minds.

Only with your support, visibility and involvement, will we achieve the cultural change that leads to full equality.
In Service,

Neil Giuliano

From Lambda Legal

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Disappointment Makes Us Stonger

Dear Troy,

Today the California Supreme Court delivered a heartbreaking blow to our fight for marriage equality by upholding Proposition 8, the discriminatory ballot measure that stripped away the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. We’re disappointed, angry, frustrated — but not discouraged. We’ve been fighting for equality in California and across the country for a long time and we’re in it to win.

Although today’s decision is a painful setback, we’ve made enormous progress. Approximately18,000 same-sex couples got married in California between our initial court victory last May and the narrow passage of Prop 8 in November — and their marriages remain valid and equal under the law. Lambda Legal, together with our co-counsel at NCLR and the ACLU, fought hard for those marriages, and today the Court agreed with us that Prop 8 did not undo them. Those couples will be the day-to-day proof in California that marriage equality strengthens families and communities without harming anyone.

We have turned the corner toward marriage equality in this country and there’s no turning back. After Lambda Legal’s game-changing victory in Iowa and the resounding legislative victory in Vermont, momentum shifted across the country. Next came a victory in Maine, and votes for equality in New Hampshire and the District of Columbia. Following the unanimous Iowa decision, the leaders of the state legislature declared, “When all is said and done, we believe the only lasting question about today's events will be why it took us so long.” And I stood with political leaders in New York as Governor Paterson said “we have the wind at our backs” and announced the introduction of a marriage equality bill, emphasizing what we all know to be true: “this is a civil rights issue.”

But today,our hearts and thoughts are focused on California. Lambda Legal is prepared to dig in and keep fighting. Today we are launching “Marriage Watch: California” to provide legal information and support to any same-sex married couples who face discrimination or lack of respect for their marriages in California. Information is available at www.lambdalegal.org/marriagewatch or by calling Lambda Legal’s Marriage Watch Team at (213) 382-7600 ext. 300.

And we’re ready to join with many others to fight back at the ballot box and restore the promise of the California Constitution to provide equality under the law for everyone. The time for lies and fear-mongering is over. It’s time to take discrimination out of the California Constitution and put fairness back in.

This is what a civil rights movement looks like: We move forward, we get pushed back, we get stronger and keep moving forward. We will keep fighting — but we need your help. Please make a gift today.

All Best,

Kevin Cathcart
Executive Director
Lambda Legal

From SoulForce

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Soulforce Statement on Today's California Supreme Court Ruling

Today Soulforce joins millions of Americans in expressing our deep disappointment over the California Supreme Court's decision to deny marriage to same-sex couples. While we are pleased that the marriages of over 18,000 couples in 2008 will remain intact, we are outraged by the decision on Proposition 8.

"My husband and I were married on Zuma Beach in Malibu on June 17, 2008, with our three children and a dozen close friends by our side. We cried our way through our vows, and sang James Taylor's 'You've Got A Friend' with everyone who came to love and support us," said Jeff Lutes, Soulforce Executive Director. "We are heartbroken for all those couples in California, and around the country, who have been denied the fundamental right to marry the person they love. But today's ruling does absolutely nothing to weaken our resolve. We are more determined than ever - we will win full civil equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people - make no mistake about it. We must continue to expose and resist the direct link between religious dogma and the attack on our human rights."

Soulforce organizers in Colorado will stage a nonviolent direct action outside Denver's Wellington E. Webb Municipal Building this afternoon. Approximately thirty minutes into the event, several couples and individuals will stage a sit-in at Denver's clerk and recorder office to remind the public that LGBT people throughout the United States are still denied equal protection in matters governed by civil law. Several are expected to be arrested for nonviolent civil disobedience.

Soulforce joins many others on www.dayofdecision.com who are uniting to win equality. The Soulforce Pledge to Nonviolence, Call to Direct Action, and link to the new training website, www.nonviolence4equality.org, are all featured on this site. Over 100 events are planned nationwide in response to today's unjust decision.

Be on the lookout for a bold new Soulforce plan that will empower people, resist injustice, and change hearts and minds about marriage equality. Our plan isn't for the meek - but then again - nonviolence never is.
________________________________________

From Credo

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This morning, President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next justice of the Supreme Court. Minutes ago, we got an important reminder of how judges can make the difference between expanding civil liberties for all Americans — or imposing the will of an oppressive majority on a powerless minority.

Today, the California Supreme Court went the oppressive route when it ruled to uphold Prop. 8 — the ballot measure passed last November that denies same-sex couples in California the right to marry. This is a sad and angry moment for all of us who believe in marriage equality, but it is not defeat. In fact, it's just the beginning.

People say the fight for same-sex marriage is about a lot of things. They say it's about equal rights, and civil liberties, and the values that define America — and that's all true.

But this fight is about more than that. This is about love.

Victories in Maine and Vermont and Iowa have turned the tide on marriage equality. Far-right conservatives and their despicable fear tactics are losing ground every day. We've faced a setback in California today, but the truth remains clear: this is a fight we can win.

So join in our commitment to fight back to bring marriage equality to every state in the nation, and display the sticker. And ask your friends and family to display the sticker. And when you see a stranger with the sticker, you can smile.

Click here to get your free sticker — you can also order multiple stickers to give to your friends and family for a small cost, and every cent of the profits will go towards the fight for marriage equality.

We think Iowa Sen. Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said it best when he said this shortly after Iowa legalized gay marriage:

"Last Friday night, I hugged my wife. You know, I've been married for 37 years. I hugged my wife. I felt like our love was just a little more meaningful last Friday night because thousands of other Iowa citizens could hug each other and have the state recognize their love for each other."

We are going to win marriage equality for Californians and all Americans. This country is changing before our eyes. Click here to order your sticker today.

http://act.credoaction.com/stickers/?r= ... 52-WoYUnHx

From the HRC

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Dear Troy,

The California Supreme Court ruling brings bitter news: Proposition 8 will stand.

While we take some solace that the loving couples who did marry in California will stay married, an estimated one million more individuals have been denied that dignity and right.

We are heartbroken. But we won't back down.

We will work relentlessly, organizing communities of faith and other allies across the state, until Prop. 8 is repealed. It will take major resources to win – but the momentum of history is on our side.

HRC members from around the country have sent in beautiful images and messages of support in recent weeks. We'd like to share those with you now in a new video that expresses both our profound hurt and our fierce resolve to fight for equality. Watch the video. Look into the eyes of the people, LGBT and straight, who stand in solidarity today. And join the effort we must begin.

Watch the video and help HRC fight for marriage equality in California and across the country.

Today's decision hurts. But we have known this pain before. Ours is a movement powered by resilience. Once again, we will turn our anger into action.

In fact, we have already begun. To secure marriage equality, we know we must broaden, diversify and deepen faith-based support. So with California Faith for Equality, we have been building a coalition of clergy and lay leaders who will lead a long-term campaign of education and action. We will help train them to make equality part of their daily ministries. We'll give them the tools to be effective spokespeople who can speak of their faith and their belief in equality. We will also work with them to expand our volunteer base.

It's all about winning hearts and minds so we can repeal this hateful marriage ban, once and for all. And it's not just California. We need to keep the recent momentum for marriage equality alive until every loving couple across the nation has the right to marry.

HRC is committed to this fight, for as long as it takes. But we need to start NOW, and this effort will take significant resources. Please give us the critical support to begin.

Watch the video, pass it along to everyone you know, and support our work to fight for marriage equality everywhere. GIVE TODAY!

Our opponents may be celebrating at the courthouse steps today, but they are on the wrong side of history. In the end, equality will triumph over discrimination, because we will never, ever back down.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President


https://secure.ga3.org/03/wontbackdown/nr1e-OBEaDhuB?

From the Courage Campaign

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Dear Troy --

Moments ago, the California Supreme Court announced its deeply disappointing decision to uphold Proposition 8.

While we are pleased that the court recognized the legal marriages of the 18,000 same-sex couples married in 2008, we are saddened by the Prop 8 decision.

But we don't have time to mourn the failure of the state court to restore marriage equality to California.

It's time to go on offense. To be fearless in our fight for equality. Starting right now:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Fearless

Last week, we asked our members to vote on which year -- 2010 or 2012 -- the Courage Campaign should support going back to the ballot to restore marriage equality. Your collective response was overwhelming -- 82.5% support a 2010 ballot measure. As a result, the Courage Campaign is announcing today its strong support for a 2010 initiative, while respecting that partner organizations are still discussing and deliberating this very important question.

In response to the court's decision, the Courage Campaign will hit the California airwaves in the next 72 hours with a 60-second TV ad version of "Fidelity" -- the heartbreaking online video viewed by more than 1.2 million people, making it the most-watched video ever in the history of California politics.

We are launching this provocative new TV ad in the spirit of Harvey Milk's call to "come out, come out wherever you are" and proudly tell the stories of the people most affected by the passage of Prop 8 -- in moving images set to the beat of Regina Spektor's beautiful song.

Be fearless. Watch this 60-second "Fidelity" TV ad now and -- if you want more people to see it -- contribute $25, $50, $100, $250 (or as much as you can afford) to expand our ad buy immediately in Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco ASAP:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Fearless

Did you cry when you saw the original 4-minute "Fidelity" video, inspired by pictures sent to us by our members? So did many of the people who watched the premiere of the TV ad version at recent Camp Courage training events in San Diego and Oakland, erupting in cheers and standing ovations, and spontaneously passing the hat to pay to put "Fidelity" on TV.

"Fidelity" is part of a larger strategy to build and empower a grassroots army of Courage Campaign Equality Teams across California. For three months now, 24 teams in 15 counties have been laying the foundation for the difficult battle ahead, knocking on doors in the heart of the Central Valley and coastal communities of California.

If you think "Fidelity" symbolizes the kind of fearless campaign you think should be waged to restore marriage equality, please contribute $25, $50, $100, $250 or more TODAY to put it on the air across California. We don't have much time, so please donate now:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/Fearless

Be fearless. We can't win without you.

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

P.S. Need to know now where the "Day of Decision" rally is tonight in your town? Our brilliant friends at CREDO Mobile have teamed up again with the Courage Campaign and Join the Impact to make it super-easy to get the info you need ASAP. Just text "RALLY" and your zip code (example: RALLY 94131) to 27336 and you will immediately receive a text message with the event closest to your neighborhood!



https://secure.couragecampaign.org/page ... e/Fearless

From Equality Texas

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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Chuck Smith, Deputy Director
Equality Texas
512-474-5475


CA Supreme Court Rules on Constitutionality of Prop 8

Also Rules on Validity of Marriages Performed from June through November 2008


Austin, Texas (May 26, 2009) – The California Supreme Court today issued its decision on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the November 2008 ballot measure that rescinded marriage equality in California. The Court ruled that Proposition 8 is constitutional, while also upholding the validity of approximately 18,000 marriages of same-sex couples performed between June and November, 2008.

Equality Texas will participate Wednesday morning in a briefing hosted by Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights to discuss the effect of the court's ruling on Californians and possible next steps to reinstate marriage equality in California.

What is the impact of the California ruling on Texas law? The ruling has absolutely no effect on Texas law. California is no longer a leader on the issue of marriage equality. Despite this ruling, the tide is turning across the country as more and more states provide equal access to marriage. At the time of the ballot measure on Proposition 8, California and Massachusetts were the only states to allow equal access to marriage. Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine now provide for marriage equality, and lawmakers in New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire are considering marriage equality legislation.

"We will support our friends in California when they go back to the ballot to overturn Proposition 8," said Paul Scott, Equality Texas Executive Director. "We know they will ultimately be successful because more people now understand how harmful it is to take away equal rights from families," Scott added.

With six (6) days left in the 81st Regular Session, Equality Texas remains focused on the Texas Legislature. "All politics is local," said Paul Scott. "Our legislators care not about San Francisco, but about San Antonio. They care not about Fresno, but about Los Fresnos. We have had a very successful legislative session - with zero anti-equality bills and 17 pro-equality bills filed. But, there is so much more work to be done in Texas. If people want to get teed off about the California decision, I would ask them to get more involved in Equality Texas and our efforts to win equal treatment under the law in Texas," Scott concluded.

Groups around the state have planned "Day of Decision" events in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Additional information about these events is available at http://www.dayofdecision.com/



Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Equality Texas envisions a state where all Texans are treated equally, with dignity and respect.

For more on Equality Texas, visit www.equalitytexas.org or call 512-474-5475.

. . . thanks for posting the news , i think it should be legalized to give the privileged authorizes to the citizens . .